Portland's 1st medical detox center funded by Measure 110 to open in September
By Ricardo Lewis
PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland's first medical detox facility funded by Measure 110 is set to open on Sept. 1.
The project will be Recovery Works NW's second grand opening of the year using Measure 110 funding.
People battling drug addiction who have been waiting a long time for a detox bed will be able to getmedically monitored withdrawal management at the facility in Southeast Portland.The facility at 122nd and Foster Road sits near the border between Clackamas and Multnomah counties and will provide detox capacity to both counties, serving all adults in Oregon experiencing fentanyl, opioid, and alcohol addictions.
Leaders behind the grand opening say this project has been years in the making.
A ribbon cutting marked a special occasion for Recovery Works NW as the behavioral health services provider gears up to serve 1,200 people a year battling drug addiction at its new detox center.
“These facilities are overwhelmed with demand. There are literally lines out the street every single day and people being turned away every single day," saidDirector of Engagement Joe Bazeghi.
Oregon voters approved Measure 110 three years ago. It directed the Oregon Health Authority to distribute cannabis tax dollars for substance use recovery and treatment.
“While we recognize this move to promote a community health response to the addictions emergency has had its kinks, we couldn’t be more grateful to Oregon voters for taking a stand to find innovative solutions," Bazeghi said.
One year ago the organization received the funding. In two weeks, it will be put to work.
Sixteen detox beds will help people withdraw from fentanyl and alcohol addictions. Those receiving the services will stay at the facility on average for three to five days before being offered a transition to alcohol and drug treatment or supported housing.
Medications to support abstinence and reduce overdose will be made available to all patients who choose to pursue Medication Assisted Treatment/Medicine Supported Recovery.
“We have been providing medical and behavioral health treatment services to people in Oregon experiencing substance addictions for a decade, and we have never seen anything approaching the severity of the current emergency,” said Dr. Bryan Schwartz, Recovery Works NW Co-Founder, and CEO. “The proliferation of illicit fentanyl has proved a significant challenge to our providers’ ability to care for those ready to change their lives, exactly as we have heard reported by our peers throughout the country. We are grateful for Measure 110 and Clackamas County for allowing us to provide treatment without punishment. This inpatient facility promises to be a meaningful change for our ability to effectively respond to the needs of our community.”
“It has been so exciting. Today has been awesome. This has been a huge lift. It's taken many many many months from beginning to end," said Nurse Practitioner Katie Nicosia.
In her 20 years in health care, she says there haven't been enough of these types of facilities, and they’re not easily accessible.
“Without Measure 110 funding we would not have been able to open up our third outpatient clinic, and we would not have been able to do this and make it the beautiful space that it is for this patient population," Nicosia said.
More than 30 health and support professionals will provide services at the facility seven days a week.
In January, Recovery Works NW also opened a full-service medical and behavioral health outpatient clinic serving people experiencing substance addictions in Newberg.